Skeleton Identified As Missing Woman

April 17, 1988

ROCKFORD. — A skeleton discovered in the Sugar River Forest Preserve was identified Saturday as the remains of Tammy Tracey, a 19-year-old Rockford receptionist who had been missing almost a year, authorities said.

Rockford police had notified Tracey`s family Friday that the remains might be those of their daughter after a hiker discovered the skeleton. At that point, they weren`t ``absolutely certain`` the body was Tracey`s but did not want the family to learn of the discovery through the media, police said. Tracey was last seen May 27, 1987. Her car was found abandoned near the west entrance of Searles Memorial Park in northwest Rockford.

Her body had been in the preserve, about 15 miles northwest of Rockford, at least several months, said Lt. Jim Mays of the Rockford Police Department.